Clad in his tees and chinos, VR Ferose, looks like any one of those thousands of code-writers who co-exist in the tech streets of Bangalore. Well he is a technology man for sure, but there is this little matter of him carrying the tag of managing director, SAP Labs India. And he is just 36 years of age. A big young achiever, that?s what Ferose is, but he wears the status lightly.

At office, he?s known as the marathon man. He regularly completes half-marathons in various Indian cities where these runs are held. Fit as an athlete, he?s a tennis and soccer freak. But at office, he?s a tough nut to crack.

?When I started out in SAP Labs 11 years back, I was known as the guy who loves soccer. That was how I was recognised initially. But a few years back, something struck. I always knew that I was good at technology, but just that I was better known in my office as a sports person. I always believed that most people in an office are nearly as good as each other. But you need something extra to get noticed. Sports was a good way to do that,?says Ferose. But a few years back he got the opportunity to lead a team of software developers, and it turned out that his team always came out on top with their set of projects. This happened in a sustained fashion, and soon Ferose started getting looked at differently.

He is not a IIT-ian (he?s done his engineering from NIT Warrangal), but that has not prevented him from being rated very high at SAP. Ferose became the go-to-guy at office, thanks to his ability to finish quicker and more efficiently than most. His stock started to rise and his reward came shortly after. He was elevated to the position of executive assistant to the Board member Gerhard Oswald in 2005.

And that, at SAP, is akin to taking an elevator to success. Being an executive assistant is a tricky business, but if all goes well then you are well on your way to the top. Ferose connected all the right dots, and his two year stint in that position showcased his mettle. The right people were impressed, and the chair of managing director came his way.

On Ferose?s appointment, Gerhard Oswald had this to say: ?In his previous roles, Ferose has shown exemplary innovation, drive and leadership. This, along with his ability to produce results and strive for excellence will prove extremely valuable in taking our India operations to greater heights. Therefore, Feroze is the right leader for this role.? Ferose has this uncanny knack of inspiring confidence among his team members, peers and people at the top of the corporate tree.

But sometimes, it can get a little challenging if you have to lead a team of people whose average age is higher than yours. ?You got to be careful. There are people who you got to take care of, and you shouldn?t give out the impression of being an arrogant, young MD. You know that you are not arrogant, but it?s about the perception. You got to give out the right vibes. But ultimately I have to take the right call, keeping in mind the best interests of the organisation,? Ferose says.

In his capacity as managing director, Ferose is based out of Bangalore but also oversees Gurgaon operations as well. His brief is to drive innovation, customer focus initiatives and deliver operational efficiencies across both locations.

He joined SAP in August 1999. ?I love the culture here. The Germans have a very organised way of working. They prepare very well and stick to their deadlines.?

?I want SAP Labs to become the centre of innovation and have complete ownership of products. SAP Labs India will continue to support the company?s global vision,? he says.

Ferose is also a member of the Development Advisory Board of HOPE Worldwide (India) and is in an advisory role to the Trust in matters of branding and developing its fund-raising mechanism. ?I always try to surround myself with technologists who demonstrate excellence,? Ferose reveals. A case of flying with the eagles all the time? ?I try to mingle with all my team members very well. We play football in the evenings and that helps to build team spirit. People like to see their managing director involved in everything they do. So I guess I enjoy a lot of support in office.?

SAP Labs India achieved the critical mass of 4,000 employees a few years ago. ?At SAP, it?s about the quality of people we have. We are not into hiring in large numbers. Our focus is to own solutions and have product owners out of India.?

Solutions such as SAP ERP Human Capital Management, SAP Business Objects and the SAP Supplier Relationship Management Application are owned by the SAP team in Bangalore.

Ferose has this theory of staying close to office. ?The day is the same for everyone. It has 24 hours. People work eight hours a day and maybe sleep for another eight hours. So it gets down to spending the rest of the eight hours well and that determines one?s success. A lot of people spend a couple of hours every day to commute to work.

I avoid that and stay close to office. That way I am much more productive.?